Aplicación de Wetlands de Flujo Subsuperficial Horizontal para el Tratamiento de Efluentes de Predios Lecheros

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to compare contaminant removal efficiency of a subsurface horizontal flow
constructed wetland (HSSFW) and a system composed of two HSSFW´s operating in series for dairy farm wastewater treatment. Suitability of using Typha domingensis (native species) or Phragmites australis (exotic species) was also evaluated.
Eight microcosm-scale reactors simulating HSSFWs were disposed in a greenhouse to evaluate two systems efficiency: “System 1”, composed of a single reactor and “System 2”, composed for two reactors operating in series. These systems were studied using two macrophyte species and the same substrate: leca. In order to evaluate contaminant removal efficiencies, measurements of various pollutants were carried out before and after the treatment in each reactor. HSSFW’s were efficient in the treatment of dairy farm effluent. Best removal efficiencies were achieved using System 2. In these systems, macrophyte species did not significantly affect removal efficiencies for the studies parameters.